Pain in childbearing and its control : key issues for midwives and women

Focusing on the mother's experience of pain and her contribution to its control, this accessible text covers the background to historical and scientific understanding of pain and considers methods of researching and measuring pain. Now in its 2nd edition, Pain in Childbearing and its Control explores pregnancy, labour and puerperal pain, along with fetal and neonatal pain. As well as approaching the topic in considerable depth, the word 'pain' is interpreted broadly. Throughout the text, research-based theoretical approaches to pain and pain control are presented within the context of care. The possibility of caring interventions being iatrogenic, or aggravating the woman's pain, lends this book a perceptively political orientation. Pain in Childbearing and its Control will be invaluable to midwives and a wide range of care providers who seek to assist the woman in coping with her experience of childbearing and any associated pain.

Pain in Childbearing and its Control will enable midwives to understand and select the most appropriate ways to help mothers cope with the pain inherent in childbearing. It is also relevant for other health-care providers and childbirth educators. Focusing on the mother's experience of pain and her contribution to its control, this research-based text describes the historical and scientific understanding of pain and considers methods of researching and measuring pain. Pregnancy, labour and post-natal stages are covered in detail, along with fetal and neonatal pain. Throughout the text, theoretical approaches to pain and pain control are presented within the context of practical care.

Beverley Zinn

This is a review of historical and societal attitudes toward pain and an extensive coverage of research related to pain alleviation. The author states in the preface that she wanted to write a book about pain because she thinks she is in a particularly strong position to do so. Not having had a child has made it possible for her to be unbiased in her research about pain in childbirth. The intended audience is not identified. In the chapter on pharmacologic pain control, the author talks about the relevant issues for those involved in the use of each method, including the mother, the fetus/neonate, the midwife, and any others who make a contribution or are affected, but the topic is not presented in enough depth for this to serve as a professional reference. Additionally, there is not as much material on women's experiences as the preface leads one to expect. Using the framework of childbirth as a journey, the author covers historical and societal attitudes toward pain, purpose and history of childbirth education, mechanisms of pain, and methods of pain alleviation. She covers pain during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum as well as pain in the fetus/newborn. A broad review of literature supports the notion that pain has not been well researched and that professionals and society do not know how to approach pain. There is a lack of depth, so this book will not serve as a good reference, but if the purpose is there to raise awareness of pain and society's poor understanding, then this is not a shortcoming. There are many thought-provoking discussions of pain throughout the childbearing cycle. There may not be another text like this; it serves as a broad overview of pain andalleviation and it raises some interesting questions about how pain has been and is viewed and treated by society. For those who may not have previously thought about attitudes toward pain or the difference between perception and the outer manifestations of pain, it will raise awareness.

"It is estimated that three million people worldwide have been conceived via in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Having this still relatively recent technology has led us to question who 'deserves' it, and the extent to which an embryo should be engineered. Some parents-to-be use IVF to avoid potential hereditary diseases, yet should parents be allowed to choose things like sex, hair and eye colour? Should IVF be free, and if so, should it be free for everyone? This program looks at how different countries have navigated this new ethical territory, and investigates the often opposing stances that various religions have towards the practice. How have the boundaries for artificial pro-creation been set?"--Container insert Pasts and peoples Experiences and observations Medication : constraints and consequences Physiology of pain in labour / Jennifer M. Tocher Childbirth education Pain in pregnancy Labour pain Working with pain : non-pharmacological methods Pain relief : pharmacological methods Postnatal pain Fetal/neonatal pain. Fully updated in a 2nd edition Written by a researcher who is an experienced and practising midwife Emphasises woman-centred care and 'normality' Based on current research evidence Adopts an accessible and easily readable style . Focusing on the mother's experience of pain and her contribution to its control, this research-based text covers the background to historical and scientific understanding of pain, and presents theoretical approaches within the context of practical care